The concept of the
Bow
evolved from harnessing the power released in a flexed stick. That flexing
stick was known as an Atlatl. Also called a "spear thrower" the atlatl
was used to throw a 5 to 7 foot "dart" by hunters as far back as the ice
age. Today some states allow enthusiast to hunt with
Atlatls and tournaments can be found happening all over the country.

The atlatl is an ancient hunting device used to throw thin spears, called
darts. The word atlatl comes from Nuttal's (1891) translation of two Aztec (Nahautl)
words... one meaning 'throwing' and the other 'on water.'*
Atlatls were invented at least 20,000 years ago, possibly in several
locations and by different cultures. Evidence of their use has been found on
all continents, except Antarctica. Their
only purpose was to throw pointed projectiles further and with more force
than could be thrown by hand. They were the precursors to the bow and arrow
and while visually different, both are simple devices using a single point
of contact to propel a thin flexible shaft. The point of contact on a bow is
the string; on an atlatl it is the spur.

Atlatls and darts are still used by some hunter/
gatherer societies even to this day. Fishermen in
Mexico and South America, hunters in the Australian outback and
members of Inuit tribes in the colder climate of the Arctic region continue
to make use of them for a variety of reasons, including cultural heritage
and hunting. Even
though a historic hunting weapon, atlatls are emerging as a recreational and
competitive sport. Increasingly, hunters looking for the primitive
hunting experience are trying them out. Efforts are underway in several
states to get this weapon recognized as a legitimate hunting option. Despite
the fact that atlatls were used for thousands of years to take various game
animals, our biggest obstacle continues to be that few have ever heard of
them.